Red - Orange - Green - Technical Progressions1 Technique Under 10: Groundstrokes The use of Progressions in Teaching Tennis Technique

2 Smaller Kids Smaller courts When working with Under 10s developing the correct techniques is a priority With young players who have no or little previous experience of the game it is possible to develop sound, repeatable, effective technique through progressions in court size, equipment and task – minimising the need for ‘formal’ teaching

3 Red court Simple preparation Simple follow through Allows lots of movement Establish a well organised routine of ready – move – hit – recover Encourage energy and alertness

4 Red court FH and BH: Progression 1 Starting position Close to net – hitting back to feeder In the hitting position Grip FH: Eastern BH: Bottom hand continental – if 2 handed top hand comfortable and just touching Preparation Starting Position = semi open stance with racket right behind contact point Hitting zone Contact point at hip height, to the racket side of the body and in front of the front foot Racket face wrist height on contact point Arm slightly bent – comfortable hitting position Push upwards from ready position Follow through No follow through Key words, cues, tips Push the ball upwards

5 Red court FH and BH: Progression 2 Starting position Slightly further back – still hitting back for consistency and accuracy In the hitting position Grip FH: Eastern BH: Bottom hand continental – if 2 handed top hand comfortable and just touching Preparation Starting Position = semi open stance with racket right behind contact point Hitting zone Contact point at hip height, to the racket side of the body and in front of the front foot Racket face at wrist height on contact point Arm slightly bent – comfortably to the side Step forwards and hit Trunk turns towards net through hit Follow through Towards target Finish in tip stance Balanced Key words, cues, tips Push the ball upwards

6 Red court FH and BH: Progression 3 Starting position Ready position (forehand grip in ready position) Towards the back of the court – start to encourage cross court targets Grip FH: Semi continental BH: 1 handed: Slight backhand grip BH: 2 handed: Bottom hand continental, top hand eastern, hands just touching Preparation Splitstep Early preparation by unit turn to start position Open hip and turn shoulders at the same time Hitting zone Contact point at hip height, to the racket side of the body and in front of the front foot Racket face wrist height on contact point Arm slightly bent – comfortable hitting position Step forwards and hit Trunk turns towards net through hit Follow through In stroke direction up till left eye height Finish in tip stance Balanced Key words, cues, tips Guiding in the stroke direction

7 Red court FH and BH: Progression 4 Starting position Ready position (forehand grip in ready position) At the back of the court – player should be starting to hit to a variety of target areas Grip Eastern forehand Preparation Split step Unit turn to start side movement Direct, compact preparation Back foot behind the ball Turn trunk until facing stroke direction Hitting zone Step in the stroke direction to initialize hitting phase Start to accelerate upwards to contact point Arm slightly bent at contact – comfortable hitting position Contact point at hip height, to the racket side of the body and in front of the front foot Follow through Guide in stroke direction up till eye height Elbow finishes towards target Finish in tip stance Balanced Key words, cues, tips Hold the finish, swing up through ball

8 Orange and Green Progressions - Groundstrokes In the orange and green court there are no prescriptive progressions - but there are general development guidelines based on tactical requirements as the game progresses onto a bigger court Tactical Development in orange and green Technical development in orange and green Exercises that will help this develop What you’re aiming for Send balls further on the bigger court Swing a longer, heavier racket and hit a heavier ball Exploit space and take away time with more spin and speed Create and reply to angles Cope with being moved more by their opponent – they must be able to move and hit then move again Using greater leg drive (pushing into the ground – often loading back leg and transferring through ball) Adding rotation (bigger unit turn, separation of hip and shoulder to create more pre-stretch, semi-open and open stances) Greater range of motion and more body segments (bigger preparation, longer follow through, more legs, trunk rotation) Reacting quickly and moving efficiently to the incoming ball, then through good dynamic balance transferring energy into ball Coordination and movement exercises Orange FH - PPP 6/7 (link to video clips) Hitting and movingOrange BH – PPP 6/7 Situational pattern drillsGreen FH – PPP 6/7 Green BH – PPP 6/7

Coordination and movement exercises Throw and catch tennis Football throws –Catch / move / throw –Move / catch / throw Tramline spins Walking spins Shadow move and pop Back to table

Hitting and moving Hitting up to volleyer in service box Up and back groundies Spanish x Out the court – in the court Run around Small to big hitting Back to table

Situational pattern drills Cross court to targets Inside out – wide and deep – inside out – wide and short 2 Cross 1 line Finish – build – finish – build Inside out – deep cross – inside in – deep cross Back to table